Korean Job Discussion Forums

[John_ESL_White]

I used to work in law back home and I know the US judicial system pretty well. However, I've been led to believe that the Ks have adopted the UK system.

In the US, the accused is innocent until proven guilty. In the UK (I think), the opposite is true.

Anyway, I've found myself heading to court. Does anyone know what a trip to the prosecutor's office entails?

Long story short: guy hit my wife, I hit guy. I paid guy 4 million won.

Police said that I would have to pay a fine. 3 months later and no letter from the cops. Instead, the prosecutor's office called and said I would have to appear for a hearing. I thought that once I paid the idiot who hit my wife off, I'd pay a small fine (1 million) to the cops and that'd be that. But no, there's more....

[Bibbitybop]

PM me if you need the contact for an English-speaking lawyer who is certified to practice in Korea and in NY State.

Also, I studied the legal system in London and I can tell you your "guilty until innocent" idea is not correct.

[Css]

You will find that the US adopted the UK system. You cant seriously believe that you are guilty until proven innocent in the UK..can you?

Did the prosecutors office tell you what the hearing was about? I was under the impression that in cases like that, you pay the 'damages' instead of going to court and getting charged etc.

Sorry to hear about your wife..How come he didnt have to pay damages to her?

[John_ESL_White]

[RACETRAITOR]

Can you give the exact definition of "hit" as it applies in both cases here?

[sojourner1]

It's known as the common law system, but interpreted differently in each country. Why did you have to pay 4 million won to a guy you punched that assaulted your wife? This is absurd! He should had just left and left it at that as long as you didn't put him in the hospital. He'd have to sue me and win before I'd pay 4 million blood money on the street or he'd have to force me to withdraw it from the bank and that's not very doable.

Any man would attack if a man assaulted their wife, especially in their presence. I would go crazy. What kind of sillyness is this? What about him paying blood money to your wife!? Who forced you to pay the blood money? To my understanding, in common law, only the police can force you to pay a fine and civil court force you to pay for damages equaling the cost of the damage and you never voluntarily pay unless settling something out of court where you know you're responsible to a certain extent.

It's one thing to punch, shove, and cuss an assailant, but another to do excessive damage. Did you go nutz and cause serious injury to the guy or is he using the Korean system to take advantage of you for gaining your money? Maybe you should consider leaving Korea if it's truthfully absurd and unfair. If you know you're responsible due to excessive damage resulting from your temper, then pay and pass go.

[bogey666]

[jkelly80]

I'm pretty sure the divide is between code law and common law. Common law in the US and UK, code law just about everywhere else, at least in the west.

[John_ESL_White]

[Bibbitybop]

This story is another example of why foreigners should run before the police get there. Good luck Mr. White.

[New Balance]

So much "gyopo" in your post! I feel embarrassed to be one of them now. Anyway, hope things work out for you.

[John_ESL_White]

[pkang0202]

The US, Canada, and the UK use the Common Law system.

Korea uses Civil Law system which is the most common system in the world.

There is a difference between the 2. In common law, the lawyers are very important. In civil law, the judge is more important.

[Css]

[Gwangjuboy]